Notting Hill (1999)

NOTTING HILL, a delightfully daft kissy-face comedy that opens on
May 28, stars Hugh Grant as a London bookstore owner who falls in
love with, well, Julia Roberts. (So she's called Anna Scott here.
Big deal.) They meet, touch souls, and part ways. And each encoun-
ter (or series of encounters) ends even more abruptly than the last,
due to the difficult circumstances surrounding her fame. (Theirs'
are *vastly* different worlds...) For the audience, the resulting
ride is a bit of an emotional roller coaster. Ergo, be prepared for
some rough patches. (Plus a couple of contrivances, to get things
properly sewn back together.) On the chemistry front, H and J make
an even more perfecter pair than expected-- Grant flustered as all
get-out; Roberts flashing that giga-watt smile. (The former's comic
timing is also impeccable. Has Hugh always been this funny?) Brit
director Roger Michell (PERSUASION) gives significant screen time to
the ensemble supporting cast as well, which FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUN-
ERAL writer Richard Curtis heartily fleshes out. They're a fun--
and occasionally scene-stealing-- bunch. If this charming, crowd-
pleasing, and dryly-funny film has a couple points to pick at, it's
the trying American touches: a preponderance of intrusive pop songs
on the soundtrack and, sigh, yet another driving-fast finale. Oh
well... With Hugh Bonneville, Emma Chambers, James Dreyfus, Rhys
Ifans, Tim McInnerny, Gina McKee, and Richard McCabeand, plus a sur-
prise star cameo that's worth the price of admission. (Rated "PG-
13"/123 min.)
Grade: B+
Copyright 1999 Michael J. Legeros
Movie Hell is a trademark of Michael J. Legeros